🚀 go-pugleaf

Boris <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in
news:Xns9D8596BA6A40blahblahcom@85.214.73.210: 

> malch@malch.com (Malcolm Hoar) wrote in
> news:htm9brbe296002malch@news.sonic.net: 
> 
>> In article <db1tv51rv5lv9kmnde9i9h8e5uuh6ctv9b@4ax.com>, John Navas
>> <jnspam1@navasgroup.com> wrote: 
>>>>Man, those AT&T executives must have a hard time walking down the
>>>>hallways without spontaneously breaking into giggles.
>>>
>>>If it's such a bad deal to you, then don't buy it.
>>>That's how the free market works.
>> 
>> Yup, but for some folks (me included) it's a pretty decent
>> offering. I have a huge problem with reception at home and
>> my options were limited:
>> 
>> 1. Switch carrier. Verizon and Sprint reception is just as
>>    bad. T-Mobile is fine but I don't like other aspects of
>>    their package.
>> 
>> 2. Install a repeater. Something of a crap-shoot and a 
>>    decent one would have cost a *lot* more than the $150
>>    I paid for the Microcell.
>> 
>> For me, it solved my one and only serious problem -- for
>> a one-time payment of $150 and no additional monthly fees.
>> 
>> That's something I can live with. And I'm no AT&T fan boy
>> either. I'd ditch 'em in a heartbeat if I could. Having
>> said, that I've found the wireless side of AT&T to be far
>> less obnoxious than the copper side.
>> 
>> 
> 
> Yep.  Pretty much my attitude.  I can complain all I want, but that
> won't get me reception inside my home.
> 
> After reading all the tech reviews, and this ng, I decided it was time
> to just buy the thing and try it out.  I went to the ATT store and
> bought the microcell last night.
> 
> Four days earlier, when I called ATT and they told me the solution was
> their microcell for $150, I balked at the price, and the rep said he'd
> note in my file that they'd credit my bill $50 if I bought the thing. 
> We'll see.
> 
> I haven't had time to set it up yet, but will report back in a few
> days. 
> 
> Thanks.
> 

I set up the microcell.  It took 5 hours for the GPS to go solid, and 
another hour for the 3G light to go solid.  The microcell is positioned 
near a window, upstairs.  While upstairs, I get between 4 and 5 bars, and 
when I go downstairs I get between 3 and 4 bars.

I tried calling a friend in New Mexico, one that I had previously been 
able to call from my house without the microcell (with 1 to 2 bars on my 
phone).  The call got dropped 5 times, and I finally gave up and used my 
landline.

I wonder if my cell phone is first connecting with the microcell signal, 
but then wants to hand the call off to the outside (weaker) signal, and 
it gets dropped during the handoff, and not because the outside signal is 
weaker.

I have read, and the ATT rep did tell me, that hand offs get dropped.

Wonder if I should try a different placement of the microcell.  Something 
tells me I'm going to end up returning the unit.  I really do wish it 
would work.